Azzurri hold off fierce Fiji
Italy survived a late fightback by Fiji to secure an edgy 37-31 win over the South Pacific Islanders in the second Test of their November series on Saturday.
A week after a 50-20 mauling by Australia in Turin, coach Jacques Brunel had called for a determined performance by his unconvincing Azzurri.
But on what was the 100th appearance for No.8 and skipper Sergio Parisse and prop Martin Castrogiovanni, the hosts were made to work by a determined and at times ill-disciplined Fiji, who launched a late fighback with two tries in the final eight minutes.
Italy went in for half-time with a 20-5 lead, but far from happy with a ragged performance against a Fiji side that had lost four players in eight second-half minutes in which Akapusi Qera, Asaeli Tikoirotuma, Masi Matadigo and Nemani Nasiganiyavi were all sin-binned.
Before then, Italy had been largely unconvincing as Fiji's size and aggression caused problems.
Centre Luca Morisi was floored by a crushing tackle from Tikoirotuma in the opening minutes and although he returned in time for flyhalf Luciano Orquera to put the first three points on the board with a penalty, he was soon forced off.
Two minutes later Fiji pounced on a fumble near their try line to grab their opening try.
Tikoirotuma took possession and ran the length of the field before offloading to fullback Metuisela Talebulamaijaina to touch down wide of the posts.
Parisse then touched down for the hosts but suspicions that Orquera's pass was forward were soon confirmed by officials.
Orquera then missed a penalty from 30 metres out and with Fiji still leading 5-3 the match took a turn for the worse.
Tempers frayed after Qera up-ended Gori, prompting Castrogiovanni to react angrily with a punch as others joined the fray.
Fiji's ill-discipline left them with 11 men for the closing 12 minutes of the half, allowing Italy to finally capitalise.
Parisse was awarded the try after Italy's ruck pushed the big No.8 over the line, with Orquera adding two points with the boot for the conversion.
Fullback Luke McLean added another try on 33 minutes with Orquera on target to seal a 20-5 half-time lead for the hosts.
Brunel replaced Gori with Tobias Botes for start of second half, which provided a far better demonstration of rugby from both sides but saw the hosts come close to being stunned at the death.
Fiji replied to an Orquera penalty soon after the restart with a persistent chase which gave them a deserved try, after Parisse failed to deal with Talebula's chip and Nagusa run in to touch down deep in the corner.
Baikeinuku narrowly missed the conversion from a difficult angle, while at the other end Orquera missed a penalty attempt to the left of the posts.
Italy finally began to find their rhythm and, after Gonzalo Canale was hauled down by Wame Lewaravu, the hosts won a penalty try from the scrum, with Orquera adding the conversion for a 30-10 lead.
But despite looking in command, Italy took their foot off the pedal.
Nasiganiyavi made up for his past infringement to burst through on the right and touch down, with Baikeinuku adding the conversion.
Fiji lost replacement Sisa Koyamaibole to the sin-bin 13 minutes from the final whistle but despite Parisse putting Fijian-born replacement Manoa Vosawai through to touch down and Tommaso Allan adding an easy conversion, Fiji fought back defiantly.
Nalaga touched down on 71 minutes, with Baikeinuku converting, and after Parisse was sin-binned, Nagusa grabbed his second try with Baikeinuku taking the score to 37-31 with five, nervous minutes to play.
The scorers:
For Italy:
Tries: Parisse, McClean, penalty try, Vosawai
Cons: Orquera 3, Allan
Pens: Orquera 3
For Fiji:
Tries: Talebulamaijaina, Nagusa 2, Nasiganiyavi, Nalaga
Cons: Baikeinuku 3
Yellow cards: Akapusi Qera (Fiji, 20), Asaeli Tikoirotuma (Fiji, 24), Masi Matadigo (Fiji, 25), Nadolo Nasiganiyavi (Fiji, 28), Sisa Koyamaibole (Fiji, 67), Sergio Parisse (Italy, 73)
Teams:
Italy: 15 Luke McLean, 14 Giovambattista Venditti, 13 Gonzalo Canale, 12 Luca Morisi, 11 Tommaso Iannone, 10 Luciano Orquera, 9 Edoardo Gori, 8 Sergio Parisse (captain), 7 Mauro Bergamasco, 6 Alessandro Zanni, 5 Valerio Bernabo, 4 Quintin Geldenhuys, 3 Martin Castrogiovanni, 2 Leonardo Ghiraldini, 1 Michele Rizzo.
Replacements: 16 Davide Giazzon, 17 Matias Aguero, 18 Lorenzo Cittadini, 19 Joshua Furno, 20 Manoa Vosawai, 21 Tobias Botes, 22 Tommaso Allan, 23 Michele Campagnaro.
Fiji: 15 Metuisela Talebula, 14 Timoci Nagusa, 13 Asaeli Tikoirotuma, 12 Nemani Nadolo, 11 Napolioni Nalaga, 10 Serenaia Bai, 9 Nemia Kenatale, 8 Sakiusa Matadigo, 7 Akapusi Qera (captain), 6 Dominiko Waqaniburotukula, 5 Wame Lewaravu, 4 Apisai Naikatini, 3 Setefano Somoca, 2 Viliame Veikoso, 1 Jereremaia Yanuyanutawa.
Replacements: 16 Seremaia Namaralevu, 17 Campese Ma'afu, 18 Manasa Saulo, 19 Sisa Koyamaibole, 20 Malakai Ravulo, 21 Nikola Matawalu, 22 Waisea Luveniyali, 23 Adriu Delai.
Referee: Leighton Hodges (Wales)
Assistant referees: Jaco Peyper (South Africa), Joaquin Montes (Uruguay)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (France)
